Redbird Volleyball Sweeps in Michigan

Image courtesy of Illinois State Athletics

The last time Illinois State volleyball played Central Michigan was back in 2024, in which they fell three matches to one. The Redbirds looked to turn that around in their weekend matchups with the Chippewas and Eastern Michigan.

On Friday, set one was a back and forth battle through the first 18 points with each team tied at nine points. The Redbirds was able to get ahead with six consecutive points which included three consecutive aces from junior Ruth Ziegler. From there, The Redbirds curised to an opening set win 25-18.

In set two, the Chippewas jumped out to an 8-4 lead. After a timeout from Illinois State, they scored four consecutive points to once again come to a tie score. The teams found themselves tied at points nine through fourteen before the Redbirds stretched their lead to 18-15. Central Michigan fought back in a close set to tie the score at 19 before the 10th and 11th tie scores came with the teams tied at 20 and 21. With Illinois State trailing by one, senior setter Audrey Clark set up a kill for Ziegler putting the match score at 21-21. Ziegler was up to serve for the Redbirds where she executed three consecutive aces for her second stretch of three straight aces in the match. This gave Illinois State the lead at 24-21 with match point up for Redshirt senior Logan Grevengoed who was set up for the final kill, closing set two out 25-22.

Heading into the third set, Illinois State started with the ball scoring the first four points. Redbirds never trailed in the match despite the Chippewas tying the match at 8-8. After the tie, the Redbirds got the ball back scoring 12 consecutive points and closing it out 25-12. With this sweep, the Redbirds completed their third consecutive sweep early in the season.

To begin the second weekend match with the Chippewas, each squad had a run to open the set with the Redbirds opening to a 3-1 lead. Shortly after, Illinois State scored eight consecutive points to gain the 13-8 advantage. The Chippewas began their comeback closing the gap 20-17. However, the hosts were unable to climb any closer as the Redbirds finished it out in a 25-20 opening set win.

In the second set, Illinois State jumped ahead early with a 10-1 lead. Central Michigan was never able to come back from a nine point lead. The Redbirds cruised to an easy 25-15 win.

In the third set,  the Redbirds came out with another early lead at 11-2. The lead shrunk as the Chippewas began to claw their way back to within two points with the match sitting at 15-13. The match remained close all the way til the end before the Redbirds were able to come ahead winning 25-19.

Illinois State’s offense has seven players with at least three kills in the match against Central Michigan on Saturday.

In set one, the Redbirds started with the ball earning the first point of the match but not before Eastern Michigan went on a 3-0 run. The Redbirds got the ball back and were able to set up two kills for Abby Reck and another service ace for Ziegler. Unfortunately for Illinois State, the Eagles clawed their way to a 9-4 lead. The Eagles would win set one 25-14.

Set two remained close throughout with ties at points five through eleven before Illinois State went on two consecutive 2-0 runs only allowing the Eagles to score once in that stretch. Despite a late comeback attempt from the Eagles, the Redbirds held their lead and won the set 25-21.

With each team winning one set heading into the third, Illinois State went on an early 3-0 run. After a strong run from the Eagles, the Redbirds were able to claw their way back to get the score within four. With a score of 18-14 Eagles, the match was back and forth until once again the Eagles went on a 3-0 run. Despite the deficit, the Redbirds went on an 8-0 run coming within one point of the Eagles lead. With matchpoint in the favor of the Redbirds, a kill by Jillian Gregory closed it out at 25-23.

Going into the fourth set with the Redbirds up 2-1, the set began with a kill by Ziegler. After leading 2-1 Eastern Michigan got on a 3-0 run making the score 4-2. The set went back and forth before once again the Eagles took off going on another run with four consecutive points. The Redbirds,  trailing by five, went on a run, coming within one point of the lead. The Eagles would win the set 25-19.

The fourth set was tight, going back and forth before the Redbirds took advantage of an attack error from the Eagles going on a 3-0 run winning 16-14.

With the win, the Redbirds swept the weekend, improving to 5-1 on the season.

Up next, the Redbirds will host Western Illinois on Sep 11th at 6 p.m. in game one of the Linda Herman Volleyball Classic.

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